I admit one of my many gaps in education (call me Westling ): I´m really confused of the Australian system of government. In the past days I´ve heard of governor Bashir, premier Carr and now governor-general Jeffrey. As I get it, at least the first two are heads of new south wales (?)
Why a governor and why a premier for new south wales? Usually I´m used to governors for federal states/counties and premiers/prime ministers for the complete state/country.

Thanks for the photos and articles, everybody.

Each of the six states in Australia has a governor-general. Australia on a national level has a governor-general. They are appointed by the Prime Minister. But they represent the head of state who I understand does not live in Australia. Maybe in the future a head of state will. :) But the Queen of Australia lives far away. It´s largely a ceremonial role these days for the governor-general of each state. But the national governor-general has a much bigger role in that they sign legislation and appoint judges and ministers while listening to the advice of the prime minister and other ministers. They rarely act on their own volition. Now there are also premiers of each state in Australia. They are normally members of state legistlatures first. Thus, they are elected politicians. The party that holds the majority in the state legislature picks who is premier for each state. Or if there is a coalition government, they will decide among themselves who is the premier. It wouldn´t necessarily follow that the party in the coalition with the most representatives would have one of their members as Premier but it just generally works out that way. And thus, the person picked by premier is head of the statewide government. They do statewide what the Prime minister does on a national scale.

Each of the six states in Australia has a governor-general. Australia on a national level has a governor-general. They are appointed by the Prime Minister. .

Close, but...

Each of the States has a Governor representing the Sovereign, appointed by the Queen (on the advice of the State Government).

The Governor-General of Australia is also appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister. In effect he or she is the Sovereign's viceroy.

The leader of the political party with a majority in the Lower House of a State Parliament becomes the Premier of that state.

The G-G and the State Governors possess the reserve powers of the Crown; ie they can prorogue the Parliament, withhold Royal Assent for legislation passed by the Parliament so that it does not become law, withdraw the commission - ie dismiss - the Premier (NSW 1931) or the Prime Minister (1975), refuse to allow a Premier to call an election before the term of the Parliament expires (Queensland 1980s), refuse to swear in Ministers or sign Executive Orders (or send them back) etc etc.

The role of Governors and the G-G may be ceremonial, but they have latent power, if they choose to exercise it. Certainly far more power than, say, the King of Sweden.

The other interesting point is that each State has its own constitution under the Crown, which, theoretically, could mean that if Australia became a republic (ugh!), some States could maintain their allegiance to the Crown. For example, the Queensland State constitution has a provision entrenching the position of the Crown. So, we could end up with a President of Australia (ugh!) and a Queen (or King) of Queensland.

Very messy; and as no-one was able to agree on what powers a president should have, how to elect or appoint him/her, and what to do with the Reserve Powers of the Crown, the republic referendum failed (yay!).
.

Each of the States has a Governor representing the Sovereign, appointed by the Queen (on the advice of the State Government).

The Governor-General of Australia is also appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister. In effect he or she is the Sovereign's viceroy.

The leader of the political party with a majority in the Lower House of a State Parliament becomes the Premier of that state.

The G-G and the State Governors possess the reserve powers of the Crown; ie they can prorogue the Parliament, withhold Royal Assent for legislation passed by the Parliament so that it does not become law, withdraw the commission - ie dismiss - the Premier (NSW 1931) or the Prime Minister (1975), refuse to allow a Premier to call an election before the term of the Parliament expires (Queensland 1980s), refuse to swear in Ministers or sign Executive Orders (or send them back) etc etc.

The role of Governors and the G-G may be ceremonial, but they have latent power, if they choose to exercise it. Certainly far more power than, say, the King of Sweden.

The other interesting point is that each State has its own constitution under the Crown, which, theoretically, could mean that if Australia became a republic (ugh!), some States could maintain their allegiance to the Crown. For example, the Queensland State constitution has a provision entrenching the position of the Crown. So, we could end up with a President of Australia (ugh!) and a Queen (or King) of Queensland.

Very messy; and as no-one was able to agree on what powers a president should have, how to elect or appoint him/her, and what to do with the Reserve Powers of the Crown, the republic referendum failed (yay!).
.

Very well said. Thanks! It gets a little confusing at times, but it's just one of those things you have to learn. It made for some really interesting lessons at school, I can tell you. I take it you aren't a Republican then, Warren.

I bet she's saying "Forget it boys, no way am I getting off the boat like that!"

Probably

Thank you for the article, Larzen (I love the photos) and thank you to Warren and Dennis for answering my question :) I`m positively surprised, that the queen plays a bigger role in Australia, than I´ve thought.

Here is a small interview with Crown Princess Victoria that Aftonbladet did during her Australia trip. Lena and I have translated it for you, here you go....

VICTORIA: I’ve found myself.
The Crown Princess about her job, the media and mother Silvia.

SYDNEY. Victoria tells that she admires her mother, Queen Silvia - and that she herself tries to be a role model for young girls.- I’ve found a balance in my life and I have found myself.

Hello Victoria, it has been very busy days here in Australia-Yes, there has been a lot. But I’ve enjoyed it as well, so those aren’t just a lot of duties.

Don’t you ever get tired?-Yes, afterwards. But there are always a few hours left, in which I can relax in the hotel room.

What has been the most interesting during your journey?-The meeting with the koalas. It isn’t a big secret that I’m a big friend of animals. I watch a lot of nature programmes on TV and I would gladly come back here to experience the animal life. But I would like to skip the sharks; I’m terrified of them, haha.

In the limelight

How would you describe your daily life as Crown Princess?-There are official duties, which I try to help my parents with as much as possible. Now I’m also studying crisis management and conflict resolution.

Is it a tough job?- Yes, because I’m constantly in the limelight. What can be hard is to live up to everybody’s expectations. Today I have found a balance in life where I have found myself. Before it was hard, because I put so high demands on myself. Today I have another attitude.

Millions of pictures have been taken of you. Aren’t you tired of constantly being photographed?- No, but afterwards one just things: Didn’t the pictures get any better than this, ha ha…

One day you will become Queen, with all that it means. How do you see that?- There is no Queen school, so it’s a bit difficult. But I try to learn as much as possible to be able to speak to- and understand people.

Not media trained

The past few years we have seen a sharper and more articulate Victoria. Are you media trained?- No, but I’m sure it could be needed to make meetings with journalists easier. Perhaps I should learn a few tricks.

Do you see yourself as a role model to young Swedish girls?- I don’t know really, but I try to be one. I hope I am.

Do you admire someone yourself?- I admire my mother, and the deceased Queen Ingrid of Denmark. She was a gifted and clearheaded woman.

Thank you GrandDuchess and Lena for translating the article. It is very much appreciated. :)

Here is a small article I found about her happenings yesterday:

Belize it or not the Alfreds had a touch of Royalty today Sat, 19 Mar 2005This morning the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club was graced with the presence of Royalty when Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden stepped onto Club member Marcus Blackmore's cruiser 'Belize' for a leisurely day on Pittwater.

There was brilliant sunshine on the Northern Beaches and Sydney and Pittwater sailors turned on a good show as they raced in the Palm Beach Regatta in both inshore and offshore races.

I am very surprised that there were no photos from yesterday. I guess the photographers are enjoying their weekend. What is she doing today?

According to royalcourt.se her programme today (for you yesterday) was private. She has mingled with swedish designers and she has watched a show of dancing aborigines (Bangarra dance company-> http://www.bangarra.com.au/home.html )

After 9 stressful days, I would say she has deserved some privacy (but I wouldn´t mind to see a Westlingish easter-kiss part II soon )

According to royalcourt.se her programme today (for you yesterday) was private. She has mingled with swedish designers and she has watched a show of dancing aborigines (Bangarra dance company-> http://www.bangarra.com.au/home.html )

Thank you. Ah, it explains why there were no photos. She would have had fun watching the dancing. It's really amazing to watch. I wonder if she has been taught how to throw a boomerang yet. It could come in handy.

Quote:

After 9 stressful days, I would say she has deserved some privacy (but I wouldn´t mind to see a Westlingish easter-kiss part II soon )

You're welcome.
Yes, she could use it for that. :) I was thinking of what I use my dodgy boomerang training for; stalkers, sick psychopaths, and people that annoy me. A well-aimed cricket bat does the same job. Anyway, I hope there will be some photos from today, and I hope they don't include "those shoes".

If people have been following my 'flags outside the Shangri-La' saga (with both Mary and Victoria); the Swedish flag has now been taken down. Victoria has gone home now. :( I hope she had fun on her visit, but more importantly, the sole reason for her gracing our shores; I hope that the ties between Australia and Sweden have strengthened, and that people know more about Sweden than just IKEA (although IKEA is a cool place :p).

It´s now deep night in Australia and already the 22nd of March. So Victoria´s trip is clearly over and she´s maybe already at home or on easter holiday (in the arms of Daniel )So I would say it´s time for a résumé. Firstly (and most important) I want to thank all members, who have helped to fill the pages of the thread. My inofficial goal of 20 pages is surely soon reached (through the pics and informations, that will come in the future...new found agencies etc.):

And now to the trip itself. The trip to Australia was by far the best trip of Victoria, I´ve ever watched! I also liked the trips to Japan, Spain, USA, Hungary (California, east coast) etc.. But more because of the little "extras", you don´t see everyday when you watch a Royal (Victoria in Hollywood, Victoria in a japanese temple, Victoria and Felipe etc.). But this trip was generally eye-candy! A wonderful dressed Victoria (I will ignore certain white shoes in my résumé :p ), a smiling charming and humourous (something I´ve missed a bit in the past months) crown princess, a great sunny location, fantastic extras (e.g. cuddling with the australian animals) and so on.
I remember, that I´ve said to a friend (before the trip), that I´m not interested in the Australia-trip, because it would be the same boring monotony as usual. I had to revise my opinion!
Danielle, you say you hope the ties between Australia and Sweden have strengthened. I´m sure they have. Maybe you have to be interested per se in a swedish product(s), when you go to an event of Swedish style, but I´m sure, those who went or read the articles (and it were more than I´ve expected...after Mary-mania) are now (due to Victoria) closer to Sweden than ever before.
Stays only one thing to complain (or hope): After Australia I want Austria as next destination for Victoria

It´s now deep night in Australia and already the 22nd of March. So Victoria´s trip is clearly over and she´s maybe already at home or on easter holiday (in the arms of Daniel )So I would say it´s time for a résumé. Firstly (and most important) I want to thank all members, who have helped to fill the pages of the thread. My inofficial goal of 20 pages is surely soon reached (through the pics and informations, that will come in the future...new found agencies etc.):

And now to the trip itself. The trip to Australia was by far the best trip of Victoria, I´ve ever watched! I also liked the trips to Japan, Spain, USA, Hungary (California, east coast) etc.. But more because of the little "extras", you don´t see everyday when you watch a Royal (Victoria in Hollywood, Victoria in a japanese temple, Victoria and Felipe etc.). But this trip was generally eye-candy! A wonderful dressed Victoria (I will ignore certain white shoes in my résumé :p ), a smiling charming and humourous (something I´ve missed a bit in the past months) crown princess, a great sunny location, fantastic extras (e.g. cuddling with the australian animals) and so on.
I remember, that I´ve said to a friend (before the trip), that I´m not interested in the Australia-trip, because it would be the same boring monotony as usual. I had to revise my opinion!
Danielle, you say you hope the ties between Australia and Sweden have strengthened. I´m sure they have. Maybe you have to be interested per se in a swedish product(s), when you go to an event of Swedish style, but I´m sure, those who went or read the articles (and it were more than I´ve expected...after Mary-mania) are now (due to Victoria) closer to Sweden than ever before.
Stays only one thing to complain (or hope): After Australia I want Austria as next destination for Victoria

Well said, and I would like to thank everyone for the photos and articles, and article translations as well! I have found that through this trip, that I have admired Victoria more. I mean, I did before, but just seeing her in interviews and the way she presents herself over here, I can see why everyone loves her. My un-royal mother even became a fan after seeing one interview, so that says something. :p Oh, don't mention the shoes. May they be lost in transit! I hope that this visit also encourages people to come to Australia for a visit. Sure, she hugged koalas and saw traditional Aboriginal dancing, but there is so much more to this country. Thanks again everyone!